March 8, 2012

International women’s day

Today is International Women’s Day — cheers to all women far and wide! Global awareness of things such as women’s rights and a solution to curb the demand for sex trafficking are dear to my heart. As a woman; I obviously experience the world differently than men do.

As our very own Rolf Potts pointed out in a recent lecture I heard “…in a way, women have access to more parts of the world than men do.” Though, perhaps, I would tweak that a tad and say, we have access to different parts of the world than men do.

Should women be able to drive cars?

Barely over a year ago, a few women in Saudi Arabia did something uncommon. They got behind the wheel to drive. Religious scholars claim allowing women the right to drive cars will, ‘end virginity’ and ‘provoke a surge in prostitution, pornography, homosexuality and divorce’.

Really? That ramification seems a little extreme to me.

While the topic of sex trafficking isn’t pleasant. It is real, and needs to be addressed. In 2009, the combined effort of journalists, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn, brought to light women’s stories and triumphs in their book Half the Sky. In addition to the book, the website lists places one might get involved with current issues. Statistics say thousands of people are being ‘trafficked’ throughout the world. Shouldn’t the rest of us at least try and do something to lower that number.

With tourism rising this year. That could also mean a rise in sex tourism, putting demand on an already horrendous industry. I wonder what drives such a demand to continue…

So, take a few moments to reflect and realize your current privileges as a human. Or as a women.